Panamericana Turismo

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Self-guided W Express Circuit in a shelter - Torres Del Paine National Park

Place

Torres del Paine - Chile

Duration

4 Days

Capacity

Min: 2 Max: 8 People

Confirmation

Max: 3 days

Tour Details

If you're looking for a breathtaking nature experience, the W Circuit Express in Torres del Paine National Park is the perfect option. With this self-guided tour, you will have the flexibility to explore this natural paradise at your own pace.

SUMMARY

Day 1: Arrival at Torres del Paine National Park – Hike to Base Torres viewpoint

Day 2: Catamaran – Hike to Grey

Day 3: Hike from Grey to Paine Grande

Day 4: Excursion to the French Valley – Catamaran – Return to Puerto Natales

Day 1: Arrival at Torres del Paine National Park – Hike to Base Torres viewpoint

After breakfast at the hotel, you should head to the bus terminal to take the 7:00 am bus (we recommend being at least 10 minutes early) towards Torres del Paine National Park. You will travel through beautiful landscapes until you reach the main entrance, Laguna Amarga, where you need to register with CONAF (park rangers). Here, you will transfer to "Transporte Las Torres," who will take you to the Welcome Center. You register at the Cerro Paine Reserve and, after about a 5-minute walk, you will arrive at Torre Central where you must check in, either at the lodge or the campsite, before starting your trek.

Today's hike begins in the Ascencio Valley, enjoying extensive forests. During the final ascent, you cross an immense field of giant rocks, until you reach one of the most iconic viewpoints in the world, the famous Base Torres viewpoint. At an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, marvel at the 3 granite towers (north, central, and south) and the brilliant turquoise glacial lake at their feet. Take beautiful photos and enjoy your box lunch before returning along the same path back to the Central Tower refuge. After a long day enjoying the Towers, indulge in dinner at the lodge.

Day 2: Catamaran – Hike to Grey (optional suspension bridges)

After having breakfast at the Torre Central refuge and ordering your box lunch, you must take the Las Torres transfer at 8:15 am, which will drop you off again at Laguna Amarga, where you will need to board the Bus Sur bus coming from Puerto Natales to take you to Pudeto. At 10:30 am, you must board the Hielos Patagónicos catamaran, which will sail for approximately 35 minutes across Lake Pehoé, arriving directly at the Paine Grande refuge. From here, the hike to Grey begins.

The journey begins through a narrow and winding valley that leads to the Los Patos lagoon. As you continue, you will begin to see parts of the immense Southern Patagonian Ice Field, as well as the icebergs of Grey Lake. After passing the sometimes very windy viewpoint, the path descends through a mountainous forest until reaching the Grey refuge. From here, if you continue walking for about 10 minutes, you will reach the Grey Glacier viewpoint, where you will come face to face with one of the arms of the Southern Ice Field. Dinner will be served at the lodge between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

OPTIONAL

For an unforgettable view of the Grey Glacier, set aside an extra 3-4 hours (round trip) past the refuge towards the famous suspension bridges. It is by far the best viewpoint of the glacier. In addition to contemplating the impressive ice, you can see the depth of the ravines formed by the rivers and waterfalls coming from the Cordón Olguín. If you're lucky, you might see ice calving from the glacier into the cold waters of Lake Grey.

Day 3: Hike from Grey to Paine Grande

Enjoy breakfast in the Grey Refuge dining room and don't forget to order your box lunch. In case you didn't get a chance to visit the hanging bridges the previous afternoon, you can take the morning to go and explore the spectacular panoramic views of the Grey Glacier.

Today you will walk the same trail to return to Paine Grande. Rest and enjoy dinner in the refuge's dining room.

Day 4: Hike to the French Valley – Catamaran – Return to Puerto Natales

Today's hike will be round trip, starting and ending at Paine Grande. Travel to the heart of the park, skirting the blue waters of Lake Skottsberg. After approximately 2.5 hours of hiking, you will reach the Italian Camp (ranger station), where you will begin your journey to the French Valley. Climb over large rocks and then continue through the forest until you reach the French viewpoint. Here, you will be rewarded with incredible views of the Towers, turquoise glacial lagoons, and astonishing hanging glaciers cascading down the eastern face of Mount Paine Grande (3,050 m.a.s.l.). If you're lucky, you might hear the thunderous noise of the glacier and the water falling, and it's also quite common to witness an avalanche. Enjoy your box lunch and the well-deserved rest. Descend along the same trail to the Italian Camp and then to the Paine Grande Refuge. At 18:35 hrs you must take the catamaran that will take you back to Pudeto, where you will need to board the regular bus to Puerto Natales. The approximate arrival time in Natales is 21:30 hrs.

Tour Highlights

Nature
Trekking

Included

Shelter accommodation
Shelter accommodation is in shared and mixed dormitories, with bunk beds.
The bed set up in Vértice shelters includes sheets, a blanket, and a pillow.
The single bed in the Las Torres shelters includes a sleeping bag and pillow.
Regular bus to and from the National Park + transfer to the welcome center
Meals according to the itinerary
In case you have any dietary restrictions, make sure to inform at the time of booking.
Catamaran ticket
Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
Dietary restrictions will only be respected if they are informed in advance.

Not included

No medical or travel insurance of any kind.
Flights.
Tips.
Guide / Porter.
Personal expenses.

Consider

Values per person
Program applies with a minimum of 2 people
In case you have any dietary restrictions, make sure to inform us when making the reservation.
Dietary restrictions will only be respected if they are informed in advance.
Passengers must be able to carry their personal belongings for the duration of the program.
We recommend using a 40-liter backpack.
We offer luggage storage at our office in Puerto Natales for those who wish to leave their belongings during their hike.

Tour Location

Meeting or pick up point

Destination Information

Company Policies

CHILD POLICIES

This program is recommended for minors aged 10 and up.

Changes and Cancellations at No Cost

You can reschedule a reservation, change the name on a reservation at no cost, or cancel a reservation with a 100% refund until:

1.31 days before check-in for nightly accommodation and programs with 100% accommodation at Las Torres Patagonia. For reservations canceled 30 days or less before the check-in date, a 100% penalty of the reservation value will be charged.

2.45 days before the check-in date for programs

that have 1 or more nights of accommodations with external services. For reservations canceled 45 days or less before the check-in date, a penalty of 100% of the reservation value will be charged.

All modifications to reservations, outside the cancellation and payment deadlines, that result in a value lower than the original quote, will not be refundable. If the reservation change results in a value higher than the original quote, this price difference must be paid.

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